Paris and Benaiah are among a number of LGBTQ youth who have found transitional shelter at the Ali Forney Center in New York. Credit: Mathieu Vaas/IPS

By Mathieu Vaas
NEW YORK, Apr 24 2013 (IPS)

In New York City, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) youth represent 40 percent of the homeless youth living on the city’s streets. The Ali Forney Center is a non-profit organisation that offers them services such as emergency shelter, transitional shelter, help to reach out to family, and more specific services depending on what is needed.

Eli, Dupree, Paris and Benaiah are four young residents at one of the Ali Forney Center’s transitional shelters, where they live with four other LGBT youth. They can stay up to two years, rent-free, and enjoy a safe and stable environment.

IPS reporter Mathieu Vaas met with the young people living in one of the shelter apartments of the Ali Forney Center to hear their stories.